With every major news headline having to do with missiles going off in Libya, NATO taking military initiative in Libya and the United States helping Libya, it might be easy to assume that we are nearly engaged in another Middle East war. Is it worth the $25 million that Obama has donated?

For nearly four decades, the North African country of Libya has been under tyrannical leader Muammar Gaddafi. Inspired by the Tunisian and Egyptian uprisings, Libyans are revolting against Gaddafi in attempt to overthrow him. Those in favor of him have been violently protesting through sexual assault and the use of firearms, leaving thousands of innocent civilians dead in the streets.
Obama decided to evacuate all U.S. citizens from Libya in the latter part of February once the security of the U.S. was threatened, as well as the humanity of Libya. Gaddafi’s response to his “rats,” as he likes to call his people, has put the world in fear and anger as he, with the help of his minions, have shut down all electricity and water in Misrata, unleashed military jets, attacked hospitals and ambulances and sexually assaulted and attacked journalists. In response to this, the United Nations implemented a no-fly zone over Libya. This would only allow aircrafts that are either carrying humanitarian relief, such as food and medicine, or evacuating citizens to a safer environment to be in the sky over Libya.

Yes, this sounds completely harmless and humble of the U.S., but what is the motivating factor behind these aid packages and a multitude of global support?
The reaction time from the U.S. toward these inhumane protests was almost immediate. Well, as soon as oil prices spiked that is. So, we can finally get off of this whole “Bush went into Iraq for oil” mantra, because I’m feeling that way with Obama right about now. The U.S. did not step into Libya until they could lose power through the increase of oil prices. Inhumane protests have been ongoing since Feb. 18, and are considered some of the most violent protests seen in quite some time. However, Obama did not step in until Feb. 22, which is the day that gas reached $3.19 a gallon.
Obama didn’t even suggest the possibility that our Libyan intervention serves the nation’s interest. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the uprising in Libya “(is) not a vital national interest to the United States, but it (is) an interest.” So, not a vital interest, but an interest.

When Obama gave his speech last week on our mission in Libya, he said that “some nations may be able to turn a blind eye to atrocities in other countries…America is different.” What about the atrocities in Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan, the Ivory Coast and Bahrain? According to John McCain, Gaddafi might even be comforted by Obama’s speech with his lack of military initiative.

Now, I’m not saying that we should not give humanitarian relief to Libya. I just want to increase awareness on an international scale as to other suffering countries that are not gaining any recognition or help. The left and the right seem to be united as Americans do not want to be in another war, especially one that lacks in our own interests.